Vikings Secure Season Finale for the Ages
It was an eventful time for the Minnesota Vikings in the last two months before the season kicked off. First, there was the tragedy that cost rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson his life and shook the entire organization. Then, although not comparable, fellow draft choice J.J. McCarthy sustained a season-ending injury. The season seemed cursed before it even started.
Vikings Secure Season Finale for the Ages
Rarely has a preseason felt less encouraging for Vikings fans. At that point, the projected win total was set at 6.5; surely, the team would compete for a top draft choice. Some analysts even discussed whether the Vikings should draft another quarterback with the potential first overall pick.
Well, the team shattered the win total by November, and the draft pick will be closer to 32nd than 1st overall. A playoff spot has been clinched since mid-December, and a nine-game winning streak has kept the team alive in the title race for the NFC North and, thanks to a Buffalo Bills win over the Detroit Lions, also allowed the Vikings to control their own destiny.
Destiny is leading us to Sunday, when the Vikings will travel to Detroit to face the reigning division champs for their second annual matchup. The winner of that contest will triumph over the competition in the NFC North, earn the top seed in the NFC playoff picture, and, subsequently, the first-round bye week.
Of course, playing at home is an advantage for Detroit. However, the Lions will have a short week after a Monday game against the San Francisco 49ers. One less day to recover from bruises, explore Minnesota’s film, and implement the new game plan.
The Lions entered the season as the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. An early loss to the Buccaneers was followed by an 11-game win streak, including not just one but two games with more than 50 points scored. Dan Campbell’s operation was looking unstoppable.
Unfortunately for Detroit, injuries have piled up over the last few months, and the number of players on injured reserve is astronomical. The result? A struggling defense formed of a few remaining starters, backups, practice squad players, and free agents signed recently.
Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills scored 48 in Week 15, ending Detroit’s win streak. Regardless, on the other side of the ball, Jared Goff threw for five touchdowns, and his offense scored 42.
The Lions possess an impressive offense coordinated by one of the hottest head coaching candidates in recent history, Ben Johnson, and DC Aaron Glenn is just as remarkable.
It was a close 31-29 matchup in October between the Lions and the Vikings, and the game could’ve ended differently had the Vikings enough time to run another play or two. The statistics after the final whistle were nearly identical, and it was a game analysts around the country applauded both teams for.
That kind of hard-fought battle could once again await Kevin O’Connell and his crew with a ticket to the divisional round on the line.
It will be a battle between the last two NFC North champions for that exact crown.
The final game of the NFL’s regular season will kick off on Sunday in the Sunday Night Football slot at 7:20 pm CT, and the playoff-like match might be the most anticipated of the regular season.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt